“It is safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to.” C.S. Lewis
The talents of an artist, small or great, are God-given. They’ve nothing to do with him as a private person; they’re nothing to be proud of. They’re just a sacred trust. … Paul Robeson...
I am relatively new to an artist group on FaceBook. Drawing is also something new. I dabbled as a child while in school. However, let’s not discuss how long ago that was... lol
But I have found that He has a way of helping us rediscover the child within...
I discovered charcoal pencils this week... I am a work in progress...
I thought I would share. I wrote these words at 2 am yesterday morning... and today I had a desire to seek His face.
My eyes yearn to gaze upon your face. Will my soul fall at your feet? Will I be at a loss for words? Will I tremble in your presence? Will my emotions run away with the last ounce of who I was before I grew to know you? Will I surrender my heart? You have such an intoxicating pull on my thoughts ...
Who are you that you can affect my mind, body, and soul with such power and grace?? But the second I look upon your face I am drawn in by the familiar look in your eyes, and I realize I knew you so very long ago ... and as my mind rushes to remember my heart whispers it’s you!!! Why did it take me so long to find you? You have had that missing piece of my heart that I have been desperately seeking.
I gave it to you long before I was even born... it’s filled with a beautiful love that is meant for you and me alone... You complete me... My Beloved, My Creator... My Elohim
“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations—that’s what I had in mind for you.”Jeremiah 1:5
Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’ Matthew 22:37
Eliminate the concept of division by class, skills, race, income, and nationality. We are all equals with a common pulse to survive. Every human requires food and water. Every human has a dream and desire to be happy. Every human responds to love, suffering and pain. Every human bleeds the same color and occupies the same world. Let us recognize that we are all part of each other. We are all human. We are all one.”―Suzy Kassem
Meaning of division is a disagreement between two or more groups, typically producing tension or hostility.
"a growing sense of division.
We located 44 verses about this ugly word ”division”
When I look around in our troubled world there is more division than love!!
How did things become so unbalanced... This discord seems to roll downhill. So many diverse opinions? beliefs, lifestyles? Not to mention politics, ethnic groups, and, religious beliefs???
How did we get so lost?? Where did the compassion and love go?. When did we become so preoccupied that our values eroded like sifting sand???
I have to ask... What will Heaven be like?? Is this life a test? If we can't get it right here? Will we even be invited??
We must work towards understanding, and acceptance of our differences. We need to build bridges instead of divisions...
If we study the Man many claims to love perhaps we can learn how to love like Him before it's too late???
I pray that if you read this to the end, He softens your heart and that you feel a calling to make a difference in our world... Shine His light so bright that the division will no longer be seen... Or even felt!!
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine you have been taught; avoid them. Romans 16:17
Meaning of genuine: truly what something is said to be; authentic…
There are approximately 97 verses that deal with the word genuine.
Genuine is it a trait we have from birth. Or can we learn how to be genuine? Can our hearts recognize genuine? Or can a trusting heart be fooled?
To understand this word, I wanted to examine what traits make up the word genuine. And this is what I found.
Seven Traits of Genuine People
1 They listen.
2 They are not concerned with being liked.
3 They practice what they preach.
4 They share their real thoughts about life.
5 They have a sense of humor.
6 They don’t need money to be happy.
7 They are confident in themselves.
Of course, when I read the above list there are people that I have known or know presently that own some of the above traits.
But my heart will always land on the most genuine heart I have ever known. He is the example of beauty, He is the best listener. We can share anything with Him without judgment or false thoughts. His life shows us He did not care what people thought of Him. He was and is confident in who He is. He definitely practiced what He preached! He shared what life is truly about! What a beautiful example He gave us to study and strive daily to reach. Money was not important He teaches us true riches are gathered by living and loving others. His confidence never wavered. He understood His mission here on earth and never stopped moving towards His Father's light.
So now that we have painted the most beautiful example of genuine. How do we become more like Him? Who is this amazing soul? I am sure if you have been following my journey you know His name is Yeshua. I do feel no matter how much we try to be like Him its a goal that can never be fully achieved. But do not be disappointed! Because I do believe when we chase Him and try to learn, own, and execute these traits in our own lives we can improve who we are one day one action at a time.
I will admit I have fallen in love with His genuine heart. He never stops teaching me! He never stops listening to me! He has taught me the value of genuine.
He never stops the WOW!
It’s Him, it’s always Him!
Of course, there must be factions among you to show which of you are genuine 1 Corinthians 11:19
Happy is the one who endures testing because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.James 1:12
Somewhere,something incredible is waiting to be known. _ Sharon Begley
The meaning of somewhere: some unspecified place.
The word somewhere is in the Bible 13 times.
This word is so vague… can somewhere be found? Can we find this special location on our trusty GPS?? Or is it just beyond the horizon??
There are times when I pray that I have been whisked away to a faraway land. And it's there I find love and a feeling of peace that can not be described…
Is this a spiritual location between heaven and earth? I know it is somewhere my soul yearns to go … There is a force there that has captured my heart… It is there that I can hear and feel a His sweet whisper in the wind …
When I am there the world as I know it grows dim.
I can feel a warm light source that fills my soul as He patiently teaches me of the beauty that abounds while I am in His presence …
Is it somewhere in another dimension of time and space? Or is this a glimpse of heaven?
Perhaps it is just a tease of the love that awaits?
My mind can not seem to rationalize where this somewhere is?
So it slowly surrenders to my heart and soul…
Was this “somewhere” in time written by my Creator long before I was even born?
How does He fill the hearts of so many? How does He provide such a unique meeting place for anyone that seeks Him… I hear His home has many rooms? Now I know why…
The somewhere is the GPS He placed in my heart… it’s personal, it’s intimate and it's a place that my heart longs for… It feels like home.
You see somewhere is not a physical location.
It’s Him. It will always be Him.
He is my somewhere, today, tomorrow until the end of time.
I call Him Elohim...
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going thereto prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come backand take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:2-3 NIV
But one has somewhere testified: What is man that You remember him, or the son of man that You care for him? Hebrews 2:6
As a mother how do you reconcile that your child carries the weight of the world on his shoulders? How can you deal with seeing the pain in your child's eyes? How do you stand at his feet and watch him take his last breath? Witnessing this must have put a rip in her heart so deep she felt it was beyond repair... She must have suffered every wound, every tear, and every drop of blood that fell. The anguish must have been beyond comprehension. She gave us such a precious piece of her life.. She gave us her beautiful son... She was just a child herself when he was born. But she trusted God to hold her hand through her life's trial.
Even knowing how important his role is, the loss must have always haunted her soul. She was left behind with all her human frailties to embrace and understand the magnitude of his life. Only her son could deliver such an amazing gift of peace and healing to her heart. I am so grateful for her and her sacrifice.
When you look for strength remember this story of a mother and child and their journey. It’s unconditional love at its finest.. It’s the most beautiful love story we will ever know...
Today let’s remember Mary's sacrifice and her beautiful gift of LOVE.
“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”
They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.
Titus 1:16
The meaning of deny; is the state that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of.1 John 2:22-23
We located 40 verses in the Bible that speak of the word denial…
If the roles were reversed between Jesus and ourselves What would it take? How far would we go to prove ourselves to this unforgiving world?? Would Jesus deny our very existence??
Even those who claim to be believers have shown doubts and have denied Him when things in life get a little sticky or challenging …
I will admit when we think with our human mind His story seems so hard to believe. How could the story be real? How could our Creator love us this much? Why hasn’t He denied us of His amazing love?
I can only share my experience. I will admit there have been times I too have questioned how He could be real? Is He just a manifestation in my mind?? And then I have then been swept away with thoughts of the day He touched my life and all doubt dissipates like a vapor in the wind. He doused me in an unexplainable Love and in an instant, everything changed… He opened my heart to see the beauty that had become mundane. I began to see and hear with a freshness that I had missed since being a child.. He has taught me many things. He has held me in the lows and celebrated my highs… He has freed my once-bound soul…
How could I have any doubt? How could I deny Him?? How could I not give Him control over my life.. when this life I call mine was His from the very beginning??
Denying Him is like stopping life dead in its tracks...
I had an experience recently. When I shared a painting of Jesus as an infant with a Christian group that will remain nameless… I was told it was not Christian enough.. and the word deny came to rest in my heart…
We must be careful of how and why we close doors… it just maybe Him coming to visit that one soul that has been searching for His love… Not all messages from God come to us as we expect… He is an unpredictable spirit and has been known to teach us in unconventional ways…
Matthew 10:33
But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
Who among us has been appointed as “the keeper” of the gate ??
Meaning of Bench: a long seat for several people, typically made of wood or stone."a park bench”
After all this time of studying words, I am still surprised when a word comes to mind, that I doubt is in the Bible… Well, Bench shows itself in eight instances… color me surprised!!
As I read the scriptures that contained this word, the word that accompanied the word bench was judge…
We as a society have learned to lead with the word judge… How did we become so unaccepting???
So full of self, so righteous??
I have had many experiences on this bench… however things are never as they seem.
Many of you know I meditate.. and a vision that comes to my mind is the bench. I listen to music that lulls me into a state of peace and as my mind drifts Jesus appears. He looks just like many of His followers see Him.
Chestnut brown shoulder length hair, His cream color robe, sandals on His feet… His skin is tan…His face is peaceful His smile is engaging …His eyes of blue have a boyish sparkle. Most of the time He reaches for my hand… no words are spoken … He leads me to this bench.. it looks like the one in the image I have provided.. as we approach the bench He lets go of my hand and sits down… He looks at me and smiles and pats the bench with his hand… as to welcome me to sit.
So I make my way there and sit next to Him. I snuggle in close.
And lingered there a moment and then found myself laying my head down in His lap… He loving stoked my hair much like a parent and child…
Sometimes He hums a soft melodic tune.
I close my eyes and take a deep and deliberate breath, my body relaxes and my soul drifts off to a slumber rich with peace. I feel protected and loved while in His care… My Jesus-induced sleep drifts into a heavenly state of mind…
I am not sure why this image often appears in my meditations … But I have concluded it happens often when I am tired… I do believe He knows what we need more than we do… “Peaceful Sleep”
So the next time you have trouble sleeping or you feel that life is a little overwhelming… close your eyes and find peace beyond our human understanding. His bench is a place of reflection, rest, and rejuvenation…
It’s Him, It’s always Him…
Cometome,allwholaborandareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest.Takemyyoke upon you,andlearnfromme,forIamgentleandlowlyinheart,andyouwillfindrestforyoursouls.Formyyokeiseasy,andmyburdenislight.”Matthew 11:28-30
Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, and too short for those who rejoice, but for those who LOVE, time is eternity. Henry Van Dyke..
Did I lose you or did we all lose?? When we lack understanding, and compassion towards others….. with each strike and blow, there is a price to pay... we may not realize it at the time.
But I believe, we lose just a little piece of our heart… and it creates a void that is so difficult to fill…No matter where we run, no matter how hard we chase completeness... The opportunity to love and to be loved slips just past our fingertips…
We were created by God to love… but without understanding, compassion and kindness… love is only a shallow emotion…
How deep is your love ?? Is it just a shallow emotion or have you taken the time to understand???
“ walk a mile in my shoes”
“ things are not always as they seem”
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
“It's shame some people will have to learn how to appreciate you by losing you.”
God's promises are all on condition of humble obedience. Ellen G. White
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Genesis 28:15
The author Herbert Locklear found 7,147 promises from God to man in the Bible.
And in Genesis 28:15 He says
“ I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
And then I began to wonder have we promised Him anything in return? Many give Him their hearts. Many even surrender, and some even claim to follow Him and say they will love Him with all their mind, body, and soul .. but have we vocalized that heartfelt promise?
He gave us 7,147 promises! My curious mind wonders just how many have been fulfilled?
And as this image unfolded in my mind I could hear in my heart
Romans 8:28 TPT
So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.
The meaning of promise in the Bible In a general sense, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it, either in honor, conscience, or law, to do or forbear a certain act specified; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made, a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of the act
How many promises have we made to God … and how many have we kept? Those promises are the threads that weave our intimacy with our beautiful Creator.
The only way to get acquainted with the voice of the Holy Spirit is through intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
Meaning of overwhelmed: to bury or drown beneath a huge mass. “the water flowed through to overwhelm the whole dam and the village beneath"
We have located 55 verses in the Bible that reference the word overwhelmed.
There are times in life when we feel overwhelmed by life itself… But when we can claim that we have been overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit it is indeed a heavenly gift from God…
Without searching or being chained to any religious beliefs... I had a Holy Spirit Encounter... It’s not surprising that I did not understand the magnitude of what had just transpired on that lonely road in Triune, TN... I know that I felt a love and warmth beyond anything I have ever felt in my entire existence on earth.
From that moment my soul felt a freedom and a love that I found difficult to contain... I felt driven to discover more about this Heavenly gift.. and my journey of chasing Him took flight. As He whispered words of love to my soul the creative spectrum that had been stifled by life began to emerge… And to my surprise, I began openly sharing Him with any creative means I could discover. And then this once shy person …. stepped out from the shadows into the light.
During this fantastic journey, He began to teach me things about His mission on earth.… And as He poured these nuggets of wisdom into my thirsty soul, I realized my life would never be the same. He became as important as the very air I breathe...
This image began as a painting of Jesus' face… and as I brought it into my digital world. His love story began to unfold…
My Triune shares an overwhelming love that will capture our hearts and free our one-bound souls.
“Overwhelming LOVE”
With just a whisper... I Am undone …
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18
